An international Poetry Competition for young people
The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is free to enter and open to poets aged 11-17 from across the world. Poems can be on any theme or length. … Continue reading
What comes next? Join in this group story writing challange
WE had two stories running at the same time. I ended this one yesterday (see how it all worked out) but the other is still live. And you can join … Continue reading
Join this GROUP WRITING PROMPT – an example of exercise 101
This is one of my favourite exercises. It always works. All you have to do is go to page 101 of a novel selected at random and find the first … Continue reading
Make something out of this…Google searches
Googlism.com is a website created 14 years by a couple of Australian guys who wanted a fun tool to see what Google “thinks” of certain topics and people. Of course, … Continue reading
Free online course from the grandmother of all creative writing courses – the University of Iowa
The very first creative writing workshops were pioneered at the University of Iowa in the 1930s and they still have a mighty reputation today. They are now offering a free … Continue reading
Happy Bloomsday
Bloomsday celebrates James Joyce’s Ulysses. The story takes place takes place on a single day: June 16th 1904 in Dublin. Ulysses follows the life and thoughts of Leopold Bloom and … Continue reading
Take part in a poetry slam without leaving home
Pangaea Poetry, an international poetry organisation, are looking for poets from across the world to take part in their 3rd annual poetry slam in July. The competition, supported by Arts … Continue reading
Why my new writing class is a drop-in
I’m confident that my new afternoon writing class will appeal to both those with experience looking for an opportunity to mix with others in a creative atmosphere and people who … Continue reading
A writing competition about England’s future
The website England’s Future History is looking for short stories between 500 and 3000 words set in England at any point in the future. The organisers are clear what they … Continue reading
Come up with an orginal story idea in three easy steps – a creative writing exercise to start the week
I came up with this writing exercise when I was on holiday recently and overheard someone say that the first idea isn’t always the best idea. The exercise worked for … Continue reading
REDEMPTION SONG BLOG TOUR: Idiotic Idioms: ‘Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach’
I’m proud to be part of Laura Wilkinson’s blog tour celebrating her latest novel REDEMPTION SONG. Laura’s a bit of a renaissance woman: a writer of uputdownable stories, a gifted … Continue reading
Write by the Beach – a day of inspiration in Brighton
I am a founder member of The Beach Hut Writing Academy and, as regular readers may remember, we are holding our first conference on Saturday March 12. Write by the … Continue reading
The Thin White Duke – read Neil Gaiman’s short story
Instead of the usual Sunday quote about writing, I found this short story from Neil Gaiman, the author and graphic novelist. He published The Return of the Thin White Duke … Continue reading
A poem, a painting and a small boy
Just came across this poem by Robert Browning on the website of Interesting literature. It’s a very short poem with a long title: Rhyme for a Child Viewing a Naked Venus … Continue reading
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 